Top 28: Adventure Destinations

The TravelSquire editors recently organized their picks for the top 28 destinations for the upcoming year in travel. The list includes every continent and there is something for every travel style. You’ll find the complete list here, Part 1, Top Urban Destinations here and Part 2, Top Cities plus Culture here.

Now we want to turn our focus to adventure destinations, ripe for exploration. We’ve got 7, each with incredible wonders to discover: Africa’s Ivory Coast, Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, Hampi, Jamaica and the Swedish Lapland. Here’s why they made the list.

Africa’s Ivory Coast

Having fallen prey to some political unrest over the last decade, Africa’s Ivory Coast—Côte d’Ivoire—is once again on the rise as a top tourism destination. Bejeweled with stunning crystal waters and sands dotted with starfish, the beauty of the region is unquestionable.

With three wildlife conservation areas on the UNESCO World Heritage List—the Mount Nimba Nature Reserve, the Tai National Park and the Comoé National Park, you’ll be sharing the region with rare species including olive colobus monkeys, leopards, chimpanzees, Jentink’s duiker and pygmy hippopotamus.

The Banco National Park in southeastern Côte d’Ivoire sits just north of Abidjan, the economic capital of the region. Declared a national park in 1953, Banco has maintained its ecological integrity in its 116 square miles which are filled with a vast assortment of flora and fauna.

Lagoons wind around skyscrapers in the seaport town of Agidjan located on Ébrié Lagoon. Many of our favorite agricultural products are shipped from the city’s seaport including bananas, pineapples, coffee and cocoa. Yes, folks, this is where chocolate originates.

Alaska

Truly the USA’s last frontier, much of Alaska is wild and remote. From its stunning landscapes topped with snowcapped mountains, and deep green forests to the wildlife that roam the city streets in the warmer months, Alaska is a thrilling destination for adventure seekers—from top to bottom.

Closer to the top at 64 degree north latitude, Fairbanks is a vibrant river city with a rich Alaska Native culture. Bisected by the Chena River and surrounded by mountain ranges and pristine lakes, Fairbanks is the gateway to an abundance of natural wonders including the ones overhead—the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. Between Fairbanks and Anchorage, the Denali National Park is home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou and its crowning jewel, Denali (formerly Mount McKinley).

With the Chugach Mountains in its backyard and five national parks nearby, Anchorage offers easy access to plenty of Alaskan-size adventures. Favorites include glacier hiking, fishing in the world’s largest urban fishery and surfing the bore tide along the Turnagain Arm.

Heading south from Anchorage 125 miles along the Seward Highway, you’ll discover the quaint waterfront town of Seward. From there you can explore the Kenai Fjords National Park on a day cruise or by kayak, spotting glaciers, sea lions, sea otters and whales.

 

Antarctica

The White Continent is home to albatross, whales, seals, and adorable penguins that live surrounded by icebergs and snow. It’s remote, fascinating, and almost otherworldly. In Antarctica, nature is the boss. Landings on the continent are based on the weather and land conditions. If you visit in January you’ll witness parent penguins feeding their fuzzy little hatchlings. Other months bring more wonders to behold.

Antarctica is one of those bucket list destinations that many dream about but few ever experience. It requires a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to endure seasickness should the dreaded Drake Passage act up during your journey. But it’s worth every bit of effort required to reach the world’s southernmost continent. This is a land of extremes where tuxedo clad penguins waddle along penguin highways and where galleries display icebergs rather than artwork. It’s a land filled with wonders you’ll never forget.

 

Greenland

Does the idea of being the first human to leave a footprint in a locale thrill you the way it does everyone at TravelSquire? If so, Greenland should be in your travel plans. This sparsely populated island with only about 56,000 residents spread over an area the size of Western Europe, has vast expanses of untouched wilderness just waiting for your footprints.

This is a rugged land of spectacular beauty filled with some of the most magnificent fjords, glaciers and mountainscapes in the world. At the center lies the great Greenland ice sheet, in the far north you’ll find Arctic desert landscapes and in the south, lush sheep farms line the Atlantic shores. The bulk of the Arctic island’s residents live in villages dotted with colorful cottages along the west coast.

Greenland has adopted the motto “Be a Pioneer” and with good reason. This is a country filled with pioneering moments and plenty of opportunities for adventure such as rock climbing, salmon fishing, dog sledding and sea kayaking. It’s a land of intriguing contrasts as these pioneers will tell you, “Greenland is a place where we communicate with Wi-Fi one moment and navigate between huge icebergs the next.”

 

Hampi, India

Surrounded by giant reddish-gold boulders perched precariously over a terrain of banana plantations, paddy fields and palm groves, the ancient ruined city of Hampi, India is home to 550 monuments and intricately carved temples—now crumbling with the burden of time. Located in the wilderness of Karnataka, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of spellbinding beauty.

The rocky terrain of Hampi’s scattered boulders and granite crags offer challenging options for rock climbers of all levels. It’s also an ideal destination for trekkers. For a cultural adventure, cross the River Tungabhadra in a coracle boat. These boats have been in use in Hampi since the days of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Hampi has long been a popular destination for backpackers, but was lacking in the luxury market until the recent opening of the Orange County, Hampi. Built in the style of a palace from the 14th century Vijayanagara Empire and set in 300 acres, the Orange County offers huge suites with canopied beds and Jacuzzis.

 

Jamaica

A world of lush rainforests, mountains and reef-lined beaches, Jamaica is the birthplace of the all-inclusive resort and rum punch and also home to the Bob Marley Museum. What’s not to love? In recent years Montego Bay has exploded with a buildout of new hotels. That coupled with the expansion of the international airport a few years ago makes Jamaica an even more popular destination.

On the northern coast, the former fishing village of Ocho Rios is now a resort town with a cruise ship harbor. A shopper’s paradise, there’s everything from luxury brands to traditional stalls with local products. Explore the rainforest, rivers and waterfalls of the surrounding parish of Saint Ann. And, you absolutely must pay homage to the place that invented rum punch … the Jamaica Inn.

In contrast to the resort laden areas, Negril in the West End is more laid back. It’s a place where walking on the beach and negotiating with the locals is a way of life.

On the southeast coast, the capital of Kingston lays claim to the Bob Marley Museum, housed in the reggae singer’s former home. Just outside the city, the Blue Mountains beckon with trails and waterfalls and, of course, coffee farms. And when you’re ready to relax, you can’t beat the luxurious Strawberry Hill Resort set high in the Blue Mountains where cottages are snuggled into the mountain’s contours and each veranda is angled to capture its own dazzling view.

 

Swedish Lapland

Above the Arctic Circle is a land where reindeer strolling down the highway will be the likely cause of any traffic jams encountered. Introducing Swedish Lapland: a place where traditions matter and are passed down for generations, saunas are an everyday activity, and light is celebrated in all its forms.

If you’re looking for fish, you’ll find them in abundance plucked fresh from the rivers via a long handled net and cooked on a stick over an open flame in a smoke hut—the way it’s been done for over 500 years. In summer the sun rarely sets and in winter, the skies are ablaze with the glory of the Northern Lights.

Adventure rules the days and nights in the Swedish Lapland. In summer, the midnight sun extends the time for outdoor pursuits. The region’s rivers are a focal point and when you’ve caught all the fish you want, there’s stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing and whitewater rafting. The winter is likewise magical as dogsledding and snowmobiling become the main forms of transport across the wintry landscapes. Don’t be surprised to find yourself surrounded by those reindeer again, this time as the Northern Lights dance above you in the winter skies.